Columns

Nine months into my first year as a Bedford County Supervisor! I’ve learned a lot……mostly from folks like you. For instance, I now understand the operation of the Animal Shelter and have been educated regarding different feral cat management techniques.

The General Assembly met in Special Session on Thursday, approving some important changes to the Commonwealth’s biennial budget and electing judges to fill several vacancies in courts around the state. We also welcomed a new Senator, while the House welcomed two new Delegates.

I’m an optimist, of sorts. If anyone were to say to me, “It can’t get any worse,” I’ll reply “Oh yes it can!”
My sort of optimism has been getting a serious workout in recent years as I watch my country slowly strangle itself. Out of control government spending is one way we are doing it.

Protecting the American people from threats against the nation is the highest priority of the federal government. However, in direct contrast to this goal, the Obama Administration recently approved a final regulation to lift a 30-year prohibition on Libyans coming to the U.S. to attend flight school, to work in aviation maintenance or flight operations, or to study or seek training in nuclear science. Once Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson signs this regulation, it will go into effect unless further action is taken.

Dear Centertown,
On Saturday, September 27, Centerfest marks its 33rd year.
This rain or shine festival is presented by Bedford Main Street, Inc. and has grown to become one of Virginia’s largest outdoor street festivals (8,000 to 10,000 visitors). Our family friendly event celebrates and promotes the region’s rich cultural traditions of food, art, craft and music.

“Ready for Hillary” is a PAC (political action committee) that has been up and running for quite a while, organizing supporters and raising money for her expected presidential campaign.
But there are progressive forces in her party who like to call themselves (ourselves, I should say!) “the democratic wing of the Democratic Party.”
Hillary knows this, and most progressives don’t have a problem at all getting behind her legacy of long-time support for liberal causes.

Rick Howell doesn’t need to worry about providing me with material for my column. King Barack I, in the White House, Terry McAwful, in the governor’s mansion and various other prominent denizens of the liberal swamp create such a wealth of opportunity for conservative commentary that I often find myself having difficulty deciding what one topic I’ll address. However, taking jabs at Mr. Howell’s columns is such great fun that I’m often unable to resist the temptation.

By Congressman Robert Hurt
As students across Virginia’s Fifth District have settled into the school routine, many high school seniors are preparing to apply for college. These preparations include more than achieving good grades and completing applications. The rising cost of higher education requires families to start planning for college years in advance, especially to pay for ever increasing tuition and other costs.

Each month, my office receives thousands of phone calls, letters, e-mails, and even Facebook messages from folks across the Sixth District. Many have questions about current issues before Congress while some are requesting assistance with a federal agency. Here are a few of the questions I have received in recent weeks: